Cortese On Top In Friday Practice At Silverstone

Sandro Cortese set the pace in blustery, but thankfully dry, conditions in second practice for Sunday’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The championship leader set a 2:19.063 to outpace Efren Vazquez and Romano Fenati with the Moto3 field looking as close as ever despite racing on one of the longest laps of the year.

The factory KTM squad therefore topped both free practice sessions with Danny Kent flying the flag for the Brits in the morning. The 18 year old was fastest in the wet session ahead of teammate Arthur Sissis and will be among those with a keen eye on the weather forecast for the rest of the weekend.

Cortese was dominant in the afternoon and hit the front with twelve minutes gone. With the exception of a twenty second period when Vazquez had usurped him, the German was untouchable at the top of the leaderboard with his advantage nearly four tenths of a second over Vazquez on the JHK Laglisse FTR Honda.

Silverstone rookies Romano Fenati and Alex Rins put in outstanding performances to finish third and fourth with Catalunya winner Maverick Vinales behind them. The Avintia Blusens rider claimed his maiden Grand Prix pole position here twelve months ago but looks to have his work cut out if he’s to produce a repeat performance this time.

After his morning heroics, Danny Kent took sixth in the afternoon ahead of Louis Rossi and Luis Salom with Alberto Moncayo ninth and Alexis Masbou tenth fresh from his career best result in Catalunya.

Danny Webb put in a stunning display on the recalcitrant Mahindra to finish twelfth overall while wildcard riders John McPhee and Fraser Rogers, making his GP debut, were 23rd and 32nd for Racing Steps Foundation KRP.